Challenges to Bashar al-Assad's Rule: Factors Contributing to Instability in Syria During the Civil War

In the broader context, the Syrian conflict serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of state institutions in the face of popular unrest. The ease with which protests morphed into a full-blown civil war highlights the risks associated with authoritarian governance and the suppression of dissent. The lessons learned from Syria may resonate in other authoritarian regimes facing similar challenges.